Local seniors were transported back to the 1920s and 1930s on Wednesday, March 30 at the annual Seniors’ Concert celebrating talented and hard-working volunteers in the community.
NSW Senator Deborah O’Neill was joined by member for Gosford, Ms Kathy Smith to host the Seniors’ Week concert for more than 120 locals at Legacy House.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for older Coasties to celebrate the wealth of talent and hardworking people we have in our community,” Sen O’Neill said. The New Empire Ballroom Ragtime Dance Orchestra delivered an energetic repertoire of ballroom classics that were much enjoyed by the audience.
“I appreciated the opportunity to raise funds that will go towards installing automatic doors to improve access to the hall at Legacy House,” Sen O’Neill said. Senator O’Neill also presented Parliamentary Community Service Awards that acknowledge the hard work of local volunteers.
“It is important during Seniors’ Week that we recognise the vital contribution these people make to our community,” she said. “Our community benefits from a wealth of talented volunteers who make our community a very generous place to live in and raise a family.”
The 2016 Parliamentary Award for the Advancement of Community Art was received by Ms Mary Huntsman of Point Frederick. Mary is the coordinator of the Legacy Village craft group. The group meets every Wednesday afternoon to knit blankets for aged care facilities and teddy bears for children in hospital.
Mary also helped with the poppy project where thousands of poppies were made for display at the Gosford Cenotaph in 2015. Ms Peta Daly, also from Point Frederick, received the Parliamentary Award for Community Volunteering. Peta regularly volunteers at her local church and performs a number of duties including reception, making candles and assisting with transport for parishioners. She also helps serve food to those in need, even on Christmas Day.
Media release, Apr 5, 2016 Scott Coomber, office of Deborah O’Neill